Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels and Workgroup

Interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or to serve as a fishing representative on the System Management Plan (SMP) Workgroup.

The SMP Workgroup addresses the needs of managed areas in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The Workgroup includes ecologists, coral scientists, mapping specialists, researchers, law enforcement and outreach representatives, and commercial and recreational fishermen. The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans. Upcoming issues to be addressed by advisory panel members in 2022 include reducing release mortality and increasing landed yield across the entire snapper grouper fishery, proposed modifications to Atlantic King Mackerel bag limits and minimum size limits, changes to Cobia regulations along the east coast of Florida, development of the Council’s Habitat Blueprint, and input on law enforcement issues affecting several fisheries.

Members of the Council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations and concerned citizens. Seats on advisory panels may be allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

System Management Plan Workgroup
(1) NC Recreational and (1) SC Commercial Representative

Golden Crab Advisory Panel
(1) Open Seat

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) NC Open Seat and (1) FL Open Seat

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
(1) Open Sea

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(6) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
(1) NGO Seat, (3) NC Seats, (1) GA Seat and (2) FL Seats

Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel
(1) Open Seat

How to Apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels and the System Management Plan Workgroup are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions, please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving.

Applications must be received by Friday, November 12, 2021, for consideration by the Council during its December 6-10, 2021 meeting currently scheduled for Beaufort, NC.